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#135530 11/25/04 05:57 AM
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Carpal Tunnel
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The original plan was that we would travel to the riverside home of my in-laws where my mother-in-law would prepare the turkey and many of the fixings and we would contribute a few minor parts of the meal, e.g. my world-famous pumpkin creme brule. Then she threw her back out and the new plan is that we will leave home at oh-dark-thirty on Thanksgiving Day in order to get to the homestead in time for me to do all of the cooking for the family which will gather later that afternoon. As willing as I am to do this, I drew the line at my mother-in-law's knives and insisted that my sweet bride allow me to take my own. She countered that her mom might be offended but then struck upon what seemed the perfect plan: she will tell her mom that I am an old fuss-budget about knives and insist on having my own.

I understand what she means by "fuss-budget" but what a curious word. One wonders from whence it came.








#135531 11/25/04 01:33 PM
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Gee, Father Steve--I looked it up in the dictionary, and there was your picture...


#135532 11/25/04 02:32 PM
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journeyman
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Pronunciation: fus 'bujit


WordNet Dictionary

Definition: [n] thinks about unfortunate things that might happen

Synonyms: fusspot, worrier, worrywart

See Also: killjoy, party pooper, spoilsport, wet blanket

Definition seems *harsh* to me, although "fuss-pot" made me smile. I'd rather think of one's being 'particular' or even ''precise'.





#135533 11/25/04 02:35 PM
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[n] thinks about unfortunate things that might happen

What kind of ditionary gives a verb definition to a noun?


#135534 11/25/04 02:38 PM
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journeyman
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Good catch! You're so *fussy*!


#135535 11/29/04 05:33 PM
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veteran
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re [n] thinks about unfortunate things that might happen - "What kind of ditionary gives a verb definition to a noun?"

[One] assumes "[One who] thinks about unfortunate things that might happen" is implied.

[One] assumes that this is a regular practice employed by this dictionary for some reason.

BTW it is interesting that there is a word for people who are fussy about "pots", namely, "fusspots".

It seems only fair that there should be a word for someone who is fussy about other kitchen utensils, such as knives.

How about telling your mother-in-law you are a "fusscutter" or a "fusscutup", Father Steve?

#135536 11/29/04 11:33 PM
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Zed Offline
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I have read in very old books the phrase "open your budget" for "spill the beans" or "let the cat out of the bag".
Anyone know if the two budgets are related in origin? I've lost the site for looking up phrases and I'm too lazy to search hard enough to find it so I'll just ask.


#135537 12/03/04 09:11 PM
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I have read in very old books the phrase "open your budget" for "spill the beans"

The only thing I know that's close, Zed, is "Open the kimono".

I can only guess at the meaning of this obviously sexist remark, but I suspect it has more to do with appraising the value of the wares offered than quantifying the resources available to acquire them.


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